The effects of sleep deprivation on the balance system: following normal sleep, 24 h of sleep deprivation, and rest under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of sleep deprivation (SD) on balance after normal sleep, 24 h of SD, and subsequent rest under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Our aim was to ascertain whether the reduced efficiency of balance control following SD is generalized or selective.

Method: Nineteen participants (12 females, 7 males) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The mean ages for male participants were 24.14 ± 0.37 years, their height was 180.71 ± 5.46 cm, and weight of male participants were 81.71 ± 13.42 kg. For female participants, the mean ages were 24.41 ± 4.01 years, their height was 163.66 ± 2.64 cm, and their weight was 59.54 ± 9.18 kg. Stance analyses were conducted after normal sleep, 24 h of SD, and subsequent rest of both the EO and EC. Participants performed a normal balance test, a second test while holding cubes and counting backwards from 200 by sevens, and a third test after rest under EO and EC.

Results: Independent samples t-tests showed significant height and weight differences between sexes (p < 0.05), with females generally smaller. No significant differences were found in age, daytime sleep duration, or PSQI score (p > 0.05). Significant differences in parameters such as length of the minor axis (lomna), angle, and area were observed in EO and EC across the three days, revealing the interplay between visual stimuli, cognitive tasks, and parameter stability.

Conclusion: SD has multifaceted impacts on motor and cognitive performance, even when attentional and sensory resources are not strained. Our findings elucidate the nuanced impact of SD on cognitive performance, and suggest the efficacy of external factors in mitigating its effects on postural control.